7th Grade Pre-AP Language Arts

Instructions for Wiki "Dinner Conversation" Project:

Congratulations for getting this far!

You should already have a partner, know your dinner conversation topic, and which side of the debate you're supposed to take. "Pro" means you are for the issue; "Con" means you are against the issue.

If you are confused about anything so far, please stop and ask Ms. Hunt or Miss Ewing about any questions you have.

The book from which your articles came is titled School Dress Codes: A Pro/Con Issue. It's by Barbara C. Cruz and was published by Enslow Publishers, Inc. in 2001. You will need this information if/when you cite your work.

Step #0: Read the Rules!!

Open a new tab in your browser so that you can go back and forth between your work and these instructions.The simplest way to open this page in a new tab is to right-click on the appropriate hyperlink and from the menu that appears, click on "Open Link in New Tab."
IF YOU'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE, PLEASE ASK MS. HUNT OR MISS EWING TO SHOW YOU.
In the other tab, open the link from the sidebar labeled "Acceptable Use Policy."
Read the ENTIRE page, particularly the bottom section about classroom computer use policies.

Step #1: (Create your page)

Open a new tab to your period's class page so that you can go back and forth between your work and these instructions.

Use these links to navigate to YOUR period's class page:
Period 1
Period 5
Period 6

From your period's class page, click on the "New Page" link in the sidebar to create a new page named for you and your partner. Use ONLY YOUR FIRST NAMES and nothing else. (Example: Luke & Jimmy's page)
BE SURE YOU CREATE YOUR PAGE IN YOUR PERIOD'S CLASS PAGE, NOT WITHIN EGJH-PRE-AP-LANGARTS

Position Statements

Step #2: (Make your initial statements)
Imagine you and your partner are having dinner together and the discussion comes around to the assigned topic (school uniforms and dress codes). Be civil with each other, but write the initial part of the conversation. Edit (click on the "Edit Page" button ) your pair's page to include:

"Pro" composes a 1-2 sentence position statement.
"Con" composes a 1-2 sentence statement opposing "Pro."

Use heading styles, bold, colors or whatever formatting you like to distinguish the "Pro" from the "Con."

Save the edits you made to your pair's page.

Dress Code Arguments Round #1

Step #3: (Homework)

Read the assigned passage about school dress codes that supports your side of the issue.
Put aside the assigned reading and use a cluster web or outline of some kind to brainstorm ideas from the passage that help support your side of the issue.

Step #4:
I hope you did your homework! If you haven't yet read the assigned passage and taken notes as instructed, you will have to go back to your desk and complete those tasks before you can go any further!

"Pro" at computer for maximum of 15 minutes; "Con" at desk.

"Pro" goes to his/her pair's wiki page and starts a new passage continuing after the initial position statements. "Pro's" passage should be a substantial paragraph in length, civil in tone, and state arguments to support his/her position about school dress codes as clearly and convincingly as possible.
"Con" reviews his/her reading passage and notes. Then "Con" reads the passage about school dress codes that had been assigned to "Pro" for homework, adding to his/her notes any ideas for counter-arguments to "Pro's" arguments.

Step #5:
Switch places and "Con" at computer for maximum of 15 minutes.

"Con" goes to his/her pair's wiki page, reads "Pro's" passage, and starts a new passage continuing after "Pro's" paragraph about school dress codes . "Con's" passage should be a substantial paragraph in length, civil in tone, and state arguments to support his/her position as clearly and convincingly as possible. "Con" may also make counter-arguments to "Pro's" arguments at this time.
"Pro" reads and studies the passage that had been assigned to "Con" for homework. Take notes for possible counter-arguments to "Con's" arguments.

Step #6 - (Homework)

Read the assigned passage about school dress codes that opposes your side of the issue.
Put aside the assigned reading and use a cluster web or outline of some kind to brainstorm ideas from the passage that help support your side of the issue.

Dress Code Arguments Round #2

Step #7:
I hope you did your homework! If you haven't yet read the assigned passage and taken notes as instructed, you will have to go back to your desk and complete those tasks before you can go any further!

"Pro" at computer for maximum of 15 minutes; "Con" at desk.

"Pro" goes to his/her pair's wiki page and start a new passage continuing after the initial position statements. "Pro's" passage should be a substantial paragraph in length, civil in tone, and state arguments to support his/her position as clearly and convincingly as possible.
"Con" reviews his/her reading passage and notes. Then "Con" reads the passage about school dress codes that had been assigned to "Pro" for homework, adding to his/her notes any ideas for counter-arguments to "Pro's" arguments.

Step #8:
Switch places, and "Con" at computer for maximum of 15 minutes.

"Con" goes to his/her pair's wiki page, reads "Pro's" passage, and starts a new passage continuing after "Pro's" paragraph. "Con's" passage should be a substantial paragraph in length, civil in tone, and state arguments to support his/her position as clearly and convincingly as possible. "Con" may also make counter-arguments to "Pro's" arguments at this time.
"Pro" reads and studies the passage about school dress codes that had been assigned to "Con" for homework. Take notes for possible counter-arguments to "Con's" arguments.

COMPLETE STEP 8 BY MONDAY, APRIL 20

Grade will be based on whether or not you completed all the steps according to directions satisfactorily.

School Uniforms Arguments Round #1

Step #9: (Homework)

Read the assigned passage about school uniforms that supports your side of the issue.
Put aside the assigned reading and use a cluster web or outline of some kind to brainstorm ideas from the passage that help support your side of the issue.

Step #10
I hope you did your homework! If you haven't yet read the assigned passage and taken notes as instructed, you will have to go back to your desk and complete those tasks before you can go any further!

"Pro" at computer for maximum of 15 minutes; "Con" at desk.

"Pro" goes to his/her pair's wiki page and starts a new passage continuing after the initial position statements. "Pro's" passage should be a substantial paragraph in length, civil in tone, and state arguments to support his/her position about school uniforms as clearly and convincingly as possible.
"Con" reviews his/her reading passage and notes. Then "Con" reads the passage about school uniforms that had been assigned to "Pro" for homework, adding to his/her notes any ideas for counter-arguments to "Pro's" arguments.

Step #11:
Switch places and "Con" at computer for maximum of 15 minutes.

"Con" goes to his/her pair's wiki page, reads "Pro's" passage, and starts a new passage continuing after "Pro's" paragraph about school uniforms . "Con's" passage should be a substantial paragraph in length, civil in tone, and state arguments to support his/her position as clearly and convincingly as possible. "Con" may also make counter-arguments to "Pro's" arguments at this time.
"Pro" reads and studies the passage that had been assigned to "Con" for homework. Take notes for possible counter-arguments to "Con's" arguments.

Step #12- (Homework)

Read the assigned passage about school uniforms that opposes your side of the issue.
Put aside the assigned reading and use a cluster web or outline of some kind to brainstorm ideas from the passage that help support your side of the issue.

School Uniforms Arguments Round #2

Step #13:
I hope you did your homework! If you haven't yet read the assigned passage and taken notes as instructed, you will have to go back to your desk and complete those tasks before you can go any further!

"Pro" at computer for maximum of 15 minutes; "Con" at desk.

"Pro" goes to his/her pair's wiki page and start a new passage continuing after the initial position statements. "Pro's" passage should be a substantial paragraph in length, civil in tone, and state arguments to support his/her position as clearly and convincingly as possible.
"Con" reviews his/her reading passage and notes. Then "Con" reads the passage about school dress codes that had been assigned to "Pro" for homework, adding to his/her notes any ideas for counter-arguments to "Pro's" arguments.

Step #14:
Switch places, and "Con" at computer for maximum of 15 minutes.

"Con" goes to his/her pair's wiki page, reads "Pro's" passage, and starts a new passage continuing after "Pro's" paragraph. "Con's" passage should be a substantial paragraph in length, civil in tone, and state arguments to support his/her position as clearly and convincingly as possible. "Con" may also make counter-arguments to "Pro's" arguments at this time.
"Pro" reads and studies the passage about school dress codes that had been assigned to "Con" for homework. Take notes for possible counter-arguments to "Con's" arguments.

COMPLETE STEP 8 BY MONDAY, APRIL 27

Grade will be based on whether or not you completed all the steps according to directions satisfactorily.

Polishing, Adding Graphics, and Commenting

Step #15:
Collaboratively (sharing responsibilities and checking each others' work), carefully proofread and polish all your paragraphs.
Feel free to change any of your writing and even rearrange your paragraphs in a more logical order if you feel that helps.
PROOFREAD VERY CAREFULLY, and keep in mind the lessons you have been learning all year with the DOLAs!

Step #16:

Discuss with your partner what kinds of images might enhance your wiki page and where they might be placed for maximum impact.
Brainstorm a list of at least five different images you might search for and use, and three images you might create. Be sure to include in your list where you will place those images on your page.
Show the list to Ms. Hunt before going any further.

Step #17:
Using the resources suggested by Ms. Hunt, write up a plan for creating and finding images to add to your wiki. You will need:

At least two "found" graphics (including citations!)
At least two "created" graphics (including caption with attribution)

Step #18:
Work on implementing your plan as outlined in Step #17
(Create, find, and insert graphics where appropriate, including required citations and captions.)

Step #19 (if you have time...)
You are done with your wiki page!
Take time to look through other wiki pages from your classmates. For each:

Find at least one point for each student working on that page to praise.
Click on the DISCUSSION tab for that pair's page and compose a 2-3 sentence comment in which you praise BOTH students for what you think they did well.